Sunday, May 31, 2009

For the past nine years Westmoreland County Community College in Pennsylvania has included "sexual orientation" and "union membership" under its non-discrimination policy.

"But the school now says there is another statement that does not contain those four words and that it is the only one approved as an official policy by college trustees in a 1998 vote.

So the college has begun the unusual task of striking references to both classes of people from its non-discrimination language, including a statement on the college's web site" (Post Gazette).

Further, this decision may be part of a cover up by the school to ensure they are not liable for a conflict with a former school employee who was denied health insurance for his spouse after he legally married in Massachusetts.

The school denies that the two have any correlation, but the Union representatives arguing against the change are unsure.

The language has been in place for years without any problems, and whether it is official or not, the school should take steps not to delete the words but to ensure that they are made official.

Contact the interim President and let him know that this is unacceptable, unfair, and represents a bad image for the school.

3 comments:

asking him to ensure that any discrimination is prohibited and to guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

I have read that one of the equality bills' more arguable characteristic is that in ambit to the other preserved characteristics, it does not stretch out endorsement against harassment on grounds of sexual orientation (or religion or belief) to the provision of services and public functions.